Deer on 41th Street N. (Flickr pool photo by Alan Kotok)
Arlington’s first deer cull resulted in 26 deer being shot and removed from local parks, despite challenging winter conditions.
The cull — which lasted from Feb. 2 to March 20 in seven parks along Four Mile Run and near the Potomac in North Arlington — resulted in 1,500 pounds of venison donated to the Arlington Food Assistance Center after being tested and processed, according to a program update from the Department of Parks and Recreation.
The crowd at the 2023 Columbia Pike Blues Festival (courtesy of Columbia Pike Partnership)
The annual Columbia Pike Blues Festival will be relocating to a smaller space when it returns next month, eliminating the need for any major road closures.
The popular festival, which will feature a lineup of nationally recognized artists headlined by Kentucky funk and soul group Joslyn & The Sweet Compression, will take place at Penrose Square on June 13, Columbia Pike Partnership Executive Director Andrew Schneider told ARLnow.
Welcome to Kami’s Korner where we’ll take a deep dive into Arlington’s condominium market by focusing on what’s coming next. From emerging developments to shifting trends, this space will spotlight the opportunities and insights shaping the future of condo living in Arlington.
Many of you have asked about best practices when it comes to buying a new condominium. Some of us only want new and are willing to pay a premium for the best in current design. There are several recommendations and insights here that will help you get what you want.
First decide what type of condominium you need… size, number of bedrooms, bathrooms, parking needs, or separate office, followed by a list of wants such as level of building service, amenities on-site, space for dining for six, balcony, open floor plan, and natural light. (Here she goes again.) Not to be sexist about it, but females generally are better shoppers and come with a preconceived set of non-negotiables.
Identify the areas you would consider living, such as Arlington or Old Town… but not wanting to go as far as Tysons, Reston, or DC. People don’t buy condominiums in places they aren’t familiar with or already spend time in, unless relocating entirely. Many upcoming communities put up signage and a website first which makes early interest hyperlocal. Register as a VIP on the website early and you will get regular communication, time to consider the offering, and learn when pre-sale will begin.
Once open, come early in pre-sale. You’ll get the pick of the litter. This is particularly important if you want something larger and are interested in the best views. Prospects are smart and pick the best floorplans first. If you have some idea of your ideal size and price point it makes good use of everyone’s time. Once you make a selection, expect to leave a 10% deposit as this is pretty standard in the industry. The developer generally has their own contract and it’s written much in their favor but not unreasonably so. Pricing this early is usually not negotiable… the price is the price. But you can purchase with some confidence since all buyers are getting the same terms and the developer has a shared interest in protecting values through delivery while sales are ongoing.
You do not need to be fully qualified for financing to come out and look but it’s wise to have some idea of what you can afford. Most builders give incentives for paying cash or using their title company and lenders. Often your contract might even offer a short financing contingency in exchange for considering them.
Once firmly under contract, a buyer might have 12- 18 months to prepare for the move. How blissful. This is one of the best parts of buying early in pre-sale. Moving is daunting, especially if you have been in your current homes for 30 years and the thought of moving seems excruciating. Decide what to take, sell/donate, and hire a proper interior designer to space plan and create a unique home that reflects your tastes. All with the time to do it properly.
Something to note. Finishes have gotten more high end, brands carry weight, and there is less customization offered these days. Gone are the days of going to a design center. If you know you are getting a Sub Zero refrigerator included you probably won’t ask if there are other options available. (more…)
DuPont Brass, a performer at Arlington Palooza 2025 (via Arlington Parks and Recreation/X)
Food trucks, family friendly activities and feel-good jams are coming to Lubber Run Community Center later this month with the return of Arlington Palooza.
The event will take place from 1-6 p.m. Saturday, May 16, promising entertainment for all ages, a wide array of artisan and community vendors and a food truck alley with sweet treats and hot bites.
Join the Capitol Hill Chorale for our final concert of the season, “Lamentations Into Joy” on Saturday, May 30th, at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, May 31st, at 4 p.m. at Capitol Hill Presbyterian Church.
This concert contains matched pairs of pieces from seven composers, contrasting expressions of sadness and joy. It also features the premiere of a new piece by CHC Composer-in-Residence Kevin Siegfried.
A host of aspirants already announced their candidacies at the party’s March and April meetings. But some contenders — including Dorothy McAuliffe and Elizabeth Guzman — have yet to stand in front of the party rank-and-file.
Join the Pentagon MMA Kick-a-thon Fundraiser and Fight for a Cause! 🥊
Get ready to kick with purpose! Pentagon MMA is proud to once again host our Kick-a-thon Fundraiser in support of the incredible work of the Arlington Free Clinic.
Ice-covered sidewalk on W. Broad Street after January 2026 storm (staff photo by Scott McCaffrey)
It will be the heat of summer when Falls Church leaders consider possible changes to the city’s snow-removal ordinance.
At an April 29 calendar-setting work session, City Manager Wyatt Shields told City Council members he’d like to hold a “scoping” session on July 20, focused on rules applying to commercial property after snowstorms.
The veterans memorial in Clarendon (courtesy Gale Harris)
Four Courts Celebration Video — Video captures the celebration after Ireland’s Four Courts, the Courthouse pub, was named America’s Best Soccer Bar by Men in Blazers. The soccer media network said it was “a joy to celebrate the beautiful story” of the Courthouse pub, and its reopening after a devastating crash and fire, with USMNT legend Clint Dempsey. [Men in Blazers/X]
Judge Halts Golf Course Cuts — A federal judge told the Trump administration Monday not to cut down more than 10 trees at D.C.’s historic East Potomac Golf Course without first providing notice. The course, which the president plans to renovate into a championship layout, will stay open for now amid an emergency lawsuit from the DC Preservation League. [AP, Washington Post]
Data Center Fight to High Court — The fight over a planned complex of up to 37 data centers near the Manassas National Battlefield is headed to the Virginia Supreme Court. Developer QTS said it will appeal a Court of Appeals ruling that voided the Digital Gateway Project on procedural grounds. The second developer, Compass Datacenters, dropped out of the project this week. [Washington Post]
Spanberger Weighs Class Action Bill — Gov. Abigail Spanberger is weighing whether to sign or veto legislation that would, for the first time, allow Virginians to file class action lawsuits in state courts. The measure is sponsored by Sen. Scott Surovell (D-Fairfax). Virginia is one of only two states, along with Mississippi, without a formal class action procedure. Spanberger has until May 23 to act. [Virginia Mercury]
Chilly May Ahead — After D.C. matched its fourth-warmest April on record, the Capital Weather Gang projects May will average 2 to 5 degrees below normal. “A much chillier weather pattern is taking hold,” wrote meteorologist Jason Samenow, with first-half-of-month highs expected to land more often in the 60s than the typical 70s. [Washington Post]
It’s Tuesday — Expect sunny skies and a high near 84, with southwest winds 9–20 mph and gusts up to 33 mph. Overnight will be mostly cloudy with a low around 64 and a slight chance of rain showers after 2 a.m. [NWS]
Want more local news from around the region? Check out our newest sister site, WSHnow.
Expect sunny conditions with a high near 84°F, accompanied by breezy southwest winds at 10 to 20 mph and gusts reaching up to 33 mph. Tuesday night will bring increasing clouds, a low around 64°F, and a 30% chance of showers after 2 a.m. South winds will blow at 13 to 15 mph, with gusts up to 20 mph. See more from Weather.gov.
💡 Quote of the Day
“The only way to achieve the impossible is to believe it is possible.” – Charles Kingsleigh
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June Prakash speaks to School Board members (screenshot via Arlington Public Schools)
A plan to use artificial intelligence to read off the names of graduates at Washington-Liberty High School received pushback at last week’s School Board meeting.
June Prakash used the Board’s public-comment period to decry a partnership with a company that uses AI to correctly pronounce students’ names and read them off at a consistent rhythm during graduation ceremonies.
The W&OD Trail at the N. Ohio Street overpass (via Google Maps)
A bicyclist took a tumble over the weekend after a white-tailed deer crashed into her at full speed on the W&OD Trail.
The unusual cyclist-deer collision took place around 11:30 a.m. Saturday near the N. Ohio Street overpass in the Madison Manor neighborhood, according to scanner chatter.